Spending Advent with Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Wednesday of the 1st Week of Advent
Mary’s Heart
Reflection
In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear
Jesus speaking in his own words to his closest followers and aides: “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,” he told them (from Matthew 15). Why did he feel such pity? Because he feared that those who were with him may be hungry. And then he translated his pity into action, feeding the crowds by sharing among all the little had by a few.
Jesus’ heart, we know, was formed by his mom. Our moms have a way of teaching us how to feel for others at times when many others might not. Mary’s own heart must have been filled with the
very compassion, mercy, and care for others which later became evident in the heart of her son.
Advent can be a time for us to allow Mary to also form our hearts with the same sense of compassion and mercy. We often read these gorgeous lines from Psalm 23, “Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.” These could have been the very words with which Mary taught
Jesus to feel compassion, knowing it is a reflection of the very face of God.
Share with others or ponder alone
For whom do we humans need to feel the most compassion
today? Who is waiting for mercy? For justice? For kindness?
Take action
Write a short list of people in response to the questions
just above. Take that list and begin in whatever way you can to show such
mercy.
Prayer for today
Mary, form my own heart as you did the heart of Jesus, and
help me to deepen my sense of mercy and compassion for those in our world.
Amen.
Used with permission
Author: Bill Huebsch